With the Rio Olympics looming on the horizon and international crews in the last stages of their training, we thought we'd lay it on the line and put our picks for each event out there. Here we go...

MENS 1xMahe Drysdale (New Zealand), Ondrej Synek (Czech Republic), Angel Fournier Rodriguez (Cuba)Our patriotic leanings put Mahe at the head of the mens single pack, but this is going to be a ding dong battle. With Synek not racing at the last world cup, Drysdale had a real fight against Damir Martin from Croatia, he just snuck through, but looked controlled and focused in doing so. Rodriguez might be the wild card here, if any of the top scullers can be said to have a home field advantage it might be the Cuban. Top level racing rarely heads to South and Central America, so we're keen to see if this gives the powerful Rodriguez a boost. Our pick - Mahe by a canvas.

WOMENS 1xEmma Twigg (New Zealand), Kim Brennan (Australia), Mirka Knapkova (Czech Republic)This event has been a two horse race this Olympic cycle with Twigg and Brennan sharing World titles the last few years. The last World Cup saw the Aussie have a very dominant race, but we don't expect to see the same thing happen in Rio. Also watch for Knapkova to have a very strong Olympics - traditionally she has picked up her game for major races so we won't be surprised to see her up threatening Twigg and Brennan. Outside of those scullers the field has closed up alot, but it might be an Olympics too early for alot of them to catch the top girls. Watch for a bolter to lead out fast, Kim to try to assert dominance early, Twigg & Knapkova to hold on, and then a rip roaring last 500 metre battle with the kiwi coming out on top.